Roulette gaming machine changing payout ratio set for each bet type and playing method of roulette game

ABSTRACT

In a unit game executed in a ratio of once per several times, a win is made in a DOUBLE ODDS lottery. When a win is made in a DOUBLE ODDS lottery, a payout ratio (ODDS) set for each bet type is switched from a base ratio to a specific ratio that is twice as high as the base ratio. Thereby, when a winning is made in a unit game, with a win in a DOUBLE ODDS lottery, a payout to be awarded to a player is doubled.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority fromthe prior Japanese patent Application No. 2007-096314, filed on Apr. 2,2007.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a roulette gaming machine that changes a payoutratio set for each bet type, and a playing method of a roulette game.

2. Description of Related Art

In a gaming machine where a player expects a win number to play a game,such as a roulette gaming machine, a bingo gaming machine, or a kenogaming machine, pockets having identification numbers (for example,“00”, “0” and “1” to “36” in a roulette gaming machine) are formed on awheel, and a rolling object rolling on the wheel, such as a ball, isused to specify one of the pockets on the wheel, thereby determining awin number.

Here, in the gaming machine, a series of processes of rolling the ballon the wheel to determine a win number are basically common to everygame. Accordingly, when a game is repeatedly played, a player may begradually bored with the game.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,921,072B2 discloses a roulette gaming machine in whichseveral wheels are provided and a win number is determined on each ofthe wheels. Like this, a game is played using several wheels, therebyproviding a chance of obtaining a large amount of payout. At the sametime, a game is played using the several win numbers determined, so thatthe game can be diversified.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Here, although the above-described roulette gaming machine uses theseveral wheels to increase a chance of obtaining a payout, the payoutratio (so-called, odds) is constant.

An object of the present invention is to provide a roulette gamingmachine having an entertainment characteristic, which is not provided inthe above prior art, and a playing method of a roulette game.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a roulette gamingmachine having a new entertainment characteristic, in which a payoutratio (so-called odds) set for each bet type is changed to increase aplayer's expectation, without deteriorating a game characteristic of aconventional roulette gaming machine, and a playing method of a roulettegame.

A roulette gaming machine according to the present invention includes: aroulette device in which a ball rolls on a wheel having a plurality ofmarks disposed thereon; a display that displays a plurality of bet areaseach of which corresponding to at least one mark and one bet type and oneach of which a game value is bet; an input device that receives anoperation from an outside; and a controller programmed to performoperations of: (a) betting a game value on a bet area associated withthe operation received by the input device from the outside, in a bettype corresponding to the bet area; (b) rolling the ball, therebysetting, as a specific mark, a mark corresponding to a stop position ofthe ball; (c) when the specific mark and the bet area on which the gamevalue is bet have a corresponding relation, awarding a payout on thebasis of the game value bet on the bet area and a payout ratio set forthe bet type corresponding to the bet area; and (d) randomly switchingthe payout ratio set for each bet type between a base ratio and aspecific ratio higher than the base ratio.

According to the above structure, the payout ratio set for each bet typecan be randomly switched between the base ratio and the specific ratio.Thereby, when the payout ratio is switched into a specific ratio, apayout that is awarded at a time of winning is larger, as compared to abase. Therefore, a player's expectation can be increased withoutdeteriorating a game characteristic of a conventional roulette gamingmachine.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other and further objects, features and advantages of the invention willappear more fully from the following description taken in connectionwith the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a playing method of a roulette gaming machine.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a roulette gaming machine.

FIG. 3 illustrates a display screen.

FIG. 4 illustrates a display screen.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a roulette gamingmachine.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a roulette device.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram schematically showing an electrical structureof a roulette gaming machine.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram schematically showing an electrical structureof a station;

FIG. 9 shows an ODDS management table.

FIG. 10 shows a DOUBLE ODDS incidence management table;

FIG. 11 is a flow chart of a game process.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart of a game process.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

An embodiment of a roulette gaming machine and a playing method of aroulette game according to the present invention will be described. Aroulette gaming machine means a gaming machine in which a player expectsa number etc. to be determined in a roulette device and bets a possessedgame value such as a chip on the expected number etc., and when the betnumber etc. wins, a predetermined number of game medium such as amedal,or game value such as credit is awarded to the player.

As shown in FIG. 1, a roulette gaming machine 1 repeatedly performs aunit game in which a ball rolls on a wheel having many marks disposedthereon, and executes a playing method comprising the steps of: bettinggame value on a bet area, among many bet areas displayed on a display,associated with an operation received by an input device from anoutside, in a bet type corresponding to the bet area; rolling the ball,thereby setting, as a specific mark, a mark corresponding to a stopposition of the ball; when the specific mark and the bet area on whichthe game value is bet have a corresponding relation, awarding a payoutbased on the game value bet on the bet area and a payout ratio set forthe bet type corresponding to the bet area; and switching the payoutratio set for each bet type from a base ratio to a specific ratio thatis twice as high as the base ratio, in a unit game carried out in aratio of once per several times.

Here, the “unit game carried out in a ratio of once per several times”means a “DOUBLE ODDS game” in this embodiment. The “DOUBLE ODDS game” isexecuted when a win in a “DOUBLE ODDS lottery” is made. Here, the“lottery” means randomly selecting a win or a loss. The “DOUBLE ODDSlottery” is performed every unit game repeatedly carried out, and isconfigured to select a win in a ratio of once per several times. Whenthe “DOUBLE ODDS game” is executed, the payout ratio (so-called odds)set for each bet type is switched from a base ratio to a specific ratiothat is twice as high as the base ratio. Due to this, in a unit game inwhich a “DOUBLE ODDS game” is executed, a payout is awarded to a playerat a time of winning is doubled. In the mean time, the invention is notlimited to the structure that the ratio is changed into the double, butthe ratio may be changed into a ratio of three times or more, or a ratioless than one.

The roulette gaming machine 1 that executes the playing method includesa roulette device 101, a display unit (display) 102, an input unit(input device) 103 and a controller 100, as shown in FIG. 2.

(Roulette Device 101)

The roulette device 101 is a device that randomly selects one of themany marks and determines the selected mark as a specific mark. Theroulette device 101 has a physical structure with a wheel having manymarks disposed thereon and a ball rolling on the wheel. Meantime, theroulette device 101 may have an electrical structure of displaying aroulette screen on which a ball rolling on a wheel is displayed. Theelectrical structure may include a liquid crystal display device, a CRT(Cathode-ray tube) device, a plasma display device and the like. Thedetailed structure of the roulette device 101 will be described later.

(Display Unit 102)

The display unit (display) 102 is electrically structured to displaymany bet areas. The display unit 102 may have a physical structure witha table having many bet areas depicted thereon, and the like. Theelectrical structure may include a liquid crystal display device, a CRT(Cathode-ray tube) device, a plasma display device and the like. Thedetailed structure of the display unit 102 will be described later.

(Input Unit 103)

The input unit (input device) 103 is operated for betting a chip (gamevalue) on any of the many bet areas displayed on the display unit 102.As described below, the input unit 103 may be constructed from a touchpanel provided on a front of the display unit 102, or constructed fromseveral buttons.

(Controller 100)

The controller 100 is configured to execute a first process of betting agame value (chip) on a bet area, among the many bet areas displayed onthe display (display unit 102), associated with an operation received byan input device (input unit 103) from an outside, in a bet typecorresponding to the bet area; a second process of rolling a ball,thereby setting, as a specific mark, a mark corresponding to a stopposition of the ball; and a third process of, when the specific mark andthe bet area on which the game value is bet have a correspondingrelation, awarding a payout (credit) based on the game value bet on thebet area and a payout ratio set for the bet type corresponding to thebet area. In other words, the controller 100 has a first processingunit, a second processing unit and a third processing unit.

In addition, the controller 100 is configured to execute a fourthprocess of switching the payout ratio set for each bet type from a baseratio to a specific ratio that is twice as high as the base ratio, in aunit game that is carried out in a ratio of once per several times. Inother words, the controller 100 has a fourth processing unit.

The controller 100 includes a bet execution unit 105 that executes a betof a chip, based on an operation signal from the input unit 103, and adisplay control unit 104 that controls the display unit 102 to displaymany bet areas. The display control unit 104 displays bet information ona corresponding bet area when the bet execution unit 105 executes a bet.A detailed display state will be described later. Meantime, the many betareas are in association with respective bet types. The details of thebet types will be described later. In other words, the controller 100executes the first process of betting a game value (chip) on a bet area,among the many bet areas displayed on a display (display unit 102),associated with an operation received by an input device (input unit103) from an outside, in a bet type corresponding to the bet area.

In addition, the controller 100 includes a game execution unit 110 thatcauses the roulette device 101 to execute an operation of randomlyselecting one of the many marks and determining the selected mark as aspecific mark. To be more specific, the game execution unit 110 rollsthe ball on the wheel having the many marks disposed thereon, therebycausing the roulette device 101 to execute an operation of randomlyselecting one of the many marks and determining the selected mark as aspecific mark. In addition, the controller 100 includes a markdetermining unit 106 that determines a mark corresponding to a stopposition of the ball rolled in the roulette device 101. The controller100 sets, as a specific mark, the mark determined by the markdetermining unit 106. That is, the controller 100 executes the secondprocess of rolling a ball, thereby setting, as a specific mark, a markcorresponding to a stop position of the ball.

In addition, the controller 100 includes: an ODDS memory 108 that storesa base ratio, which is a payout ratio (odds) set for each bet type andreferred to in a unit game except a “DOUBLE ODDS game”, and stores aspecific ratio (ratio that is twice as high as the base ratio), which isa payout ratio (odds) set for each bet type and referred to in a unitgame of a “DOUBLE ODDS game”; a payout determining unit 109 thatdetermines a payout for a player; and a payout award unit 111 thatawards a payout to a player. The payout determining unit 109 refers to abet executed by the bet execution unit 105 and a specific markdetermined by the mark determining unit 109, and determines whether thespecific mark and the bet area on which a chip is bet have acorresponding relation. The payout determining unit 109 determines awinning when the specific mark and the bet area on which a chip is bethave a corresponding relation, and calculates a payout (credit), basedon a payout ratio that is set for the bet type corresponding to the betarea on which a chip is bet, among the payout ratios (odds) stored inthe ODDS memory 108, and the chip bet on the bet area. The calculatedpayout is awarded to a player by the payout award unit 111. That is, thecontroller 100 executes the third process of, when the specific mark andthe bet area on which the game value is bet have a correspondingrelation, awarding a payout (credit) based on the game value bet on thebet area and a payout ratio set for the bet type corresponding to thebet area.

Furthermore, the controller 100 includes a DOUBLE ODDS execution unit107. The DOUBLE ODDS execution unit 107 executes a “DOUBLE ODDS lottery”every unit game. The “DOUBLE ODDS lottery” is configured to make a winin a ratio of once per several times, in unit games repeatedly carriedout. When a win is made in a “DOUBLE ODDS lottery,” the display controlunit 104 controls the display unit 102 to display an image showing a“DOUBLE ODDS game”. In addition, the payout determining unit 109switches a payout ratio (odds), which is stored in the ODDS memory 108and referred to payout ratio when calculating a payout (credit), from abase ratio to a specific ratio that is twice as high as the base ratio.That is, the controller 100 executes the fourth process of switching thepayout ratio set for each bet type from a base ratio to a specific ratiothat is twice as high as the base ratio, in a unit game that is carriedout in a ratio of once per several times.

Each block of the controller 100 may be embodied in hardware orsoftware, as required.

(Operation of the Controller 100)

An operation of the controller 100 with the above-mentioned structurewill be described. First, bet information is inputted to the betexecution unit 105 from the input unit 103 and the inputted betinformation is displayed on the display unit 102 by the display controlunit 104. Thereby, the controller 100 executes the first process ofbetting a game value (chip) on a bet area, among many bet areasdisplayed on a display (display unit 102), associated with an operationreceived by an input machine (input unit 103) from an outside, in a bettype corresponding to the bet area. As the roulette device 101 isoperated by the game execution unit 110, one of the many marks israndomly selected and is determined as a specific mark. The specificmark is determined by the mark determining unit 106. Thereby, thecontroller 100 executes the second process of rolling a ball, therebysetting, as a specific mark, a mark corresponding to a stop position ofthe ball.

Before or after the above process, a “DOUBLE ODDS lottery” is executedby the DOUBLE ODDS execution unit 107. When a win is made in a “DOUBLEODDS lottery,” an image showing a “DOUBLE ODDS game” is displayed on thedisplay unit 102 by the display control unit 104. In addition, a payoutratio (odds), which is stored in the ODDS memory 108 and referred towhen calculating a payout (credit), is switched by the payoutdetermining unit 109 from a base ratio to a specific ratio that is twiceas high as the base ratio. Thereby, the controller 100 executes thefourth process of switching the payout ratio set for each bet type froma base ratio to a specific ratio that is twice as high as the baseratio, in a unit game that is carried out in a ratio of once per severaltimes.

The payout determining unit 109 determines whether the specific mark andthe bet area on which a chip is bet have a corresponding relation. Whenthe specific mark and the bet area on which a chip is bet have acorresponding relation, a winning is made and a payout (credit) iscalculated, based on the chip bet on the bet area and the payout ratioset for the bet type corresponding to the bet area. Then the calculatedpayout (credit) is awarded to a player by the payout award unit 111.Thereby, the controller 100 executes the third process of, when thespecific mark and the bet area on which the game value is bet have acorresponding relation, awarding a payout (credit) based on the gamevalue bet on the bet area and a payout ratio set for the bet typecorresponding to the bet area.

As clearly seen from the above operation, the roulette gaming machine 1repeatedly performs a unit game in which a ball rolls on a wheel havingmany marks disposed thereon, and realizes a playing method including:betting a game value on a bet area, among many bet areas displayed on adisplay, associated with an operation received by an input machine froman outside, in a bet type corresponding to the bet area; rolling theball, thereby setting, as a specific mark, a mark corresponding to astop position of the ball; when the specific mark and the bet area onwhich the game value is bet have a corresponding relation, awarding apayout based on the game value bet on the bet area and a payout ratioset for the bet type corresponding to the bet area; and switching thepayout ratio set for each bet type from a base ratio to a specific ratiothat is twice as high as the base ratio, in a unit game that is carriedout in a ratio of once per several times, as shown in FIG. 1.

According to the above-mentioned playing method, in a unit game that iscarried out in a ratio of once per several times, the payout ratio setfor each bet type is switched from a base ratio to a specific ratio thatis twice as high as the base ratio. Thereby, when the payout ratio isswitched into a specific ratio, a payout that is to be awarded at a timeof winning is twice as high as a base payout. Therefore, a player'sexpectation may be increased without deteriorating a game characteristicof the conventional roulette gaming machine.

(Display State)

An example of a display state of the display unit (display) 102 in theoperating processes of the playing method of the roulette game and theroulette gaming machine 1 will be specifically described. The displaystate will be described on the basis of an electrical structure that thedisplay unit 102 displays a BET screen 61 including many bet areas 72,and the like, as shown in FIG. 3.

While a roulette game is executed in the roulette gaming machine 1, aBET screen 61 having a table-type betting board 60 is displayed on thedisplay unit 102, as shown in FIG. 3. The table-type betting board 60 isprovided with many bet areas 72. In the mean time, at a front of thedisplay unit 102, provided is a light transmissive touch panel 50 thatis operable by pressing from an outside, as an input unit (input device)103. Therefore, the description that various parts on the BET screen 61,such as bet areas 72, are pressed means that the various partscorresponding to the bet areas 72 of the touch panel 50 are pressed by aplayer.

As shown in FIG. 3, in the table-type betting board 60 displayed in theBET screen 61, the thirty-eight kinds of numbers of “0,” “00,” and “1”to “36” are arranged in a grid form. In addition, special bet areas forindicating “odd number”, “even number”, “types of colors of numberedplates (red or black)” and “a predetermined range of numbers (forexample, “1” to “12”) to bet a chip are also arranged in a grid form.

At a lower part from the table-type betting board 60, a result historydisplay section 65, unit BET buttons 66, a cashout result displaysection 67 and a credit-number display section 68 are sequentiallydisplayed from left of the screen.

The result history display section 65 displays, in a list form, resultsof win numbers up to the previous games (here, one game is a series ofoperations that a player makes a bet, a ball rolls and stops and acredit (payout) is paid out based on a win number (determined number,specific mark)). At this time, when one game is over, one combination ofwin numbers is additionally displayed from top and a history of the winnumbers of maximum 10 games can be checked.

The unit BET buttons 66 are provided to bet a chip on a bet area 72indicated by the player (on the grids of numbers and marks or on a lineforming a grid). The unit BET buttons 66 are structured from four kindsof buttons, a 1 BET button 66A, a 5 BET button 66B, a 10 BET button 66Cand a 100 BET button 66D.

First, a player pushes a bet area 72 with a finger etc., so that acursor 70 (described later) is indicated. In this state, whenever the 1BET button 66A is pushed, a chip is bet in a unit of one piece (wheneverthe 1 BET button 66A is pushed with a finger etc., the bet-number isincreased in an order of “1”->“2”->“3” . . . ). When the 5 BET button66B is pushed, the chips are bet in a unit of five pieces (whenever the5 BET button 66B is pushed with a finger etc., the bet-number isincreased in an order of “5”->“10”->“15” . . . ) When the 10 BET button66C is pushed, the chips are bet in a unit of ten pieces (whenever the10 BET button 66C is pushed with a finger etc., the bet-number isincreased in an order of “10”->“20”->“30” . . . ). Furthermore, when the100 BET button 66D is pushed, the chips are bet in a unit of 100 pieces(whenever the 100 BET button 66D is pushed with a finger etc., thebet-number is increased in an order of “100”->“200”->“300” . . . ).Accordingly, even when many chips are bet, an operation thereof can besimplified.

The cashout result display section 67 displays the number of chips betby a player in a previous game and the cashout credit-number. Here, thesubtraction of the bet-number from the cashout credit-number results ina credit-number that is newly obtained by a player in a previous game.

The credit-number display section 68 displays the number of credits thatare currently possessed by a player. When a chip is bet, thecredit-number is decreased in accordance with the bet-number (one creditfor one chip). In addition, when a winning is made for the number onwhich the bet is made and the cashout of credits is performed, thecredit-number is increased by the number corresponding to thecashout-number. In the mean time, when the credit-number possessed by aplayer becomes 0, the game is over.

A BET time display section 69 is disposed above the table-type bettingboard 60. The BET time display section 69 displays a remaining timeperiod for which a player can bet. When reception of a bet operationstarts, “20” is displayed and the number is decreased by 1 every onesecond. When the number becomes “0,” the reception of a bet operationends. In addition, when the bet time of the player is 5 seconds, a ballinsertion device that will be described later is driven to insert theball into the wheel.

Furthermore, a JP display section 73, which displays the credit-numberaccumulated up to now in a jackpot (JP) manner, is disposed at the rightof the BET time display section 69. Here, the credit-number of a JPmanner is a value to which 0.5% of credits bet in twelve stations 4 areaccumulatively added and the JP display section 73 displays a commonvalue in all the stations 4. When a winning is made in a “DOUBLE ODDSgame”, a half of the payout to be awarded to a player is paid out fromthe credit-number of a JP manner. In the mean time, the credit-numberthat is accumulated up to now by the JP manner is also displayed on a JPamount display unit 15 (refer to FIG. 5) of an electric light displayunit 5 that will be described later, in addition to the JP displaysection 73.

In addition, a cursor 70 showing the bet area 72 currently selected by aplayer is displayed on the table-type betting board 60. Additionally, achip mark 71 showing the number of chips that are bet up to now and thebet area 72 is displayed. The number shown on the chip mark 71 indicatesthe number of chips bet. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the chip mark71 of “7”, which is put on the grid of “18”, indicates that seven chipsare bet on the number “18.” Like this, the bet type in which a bet ismade on one number only is referred to as a “Straight bet.”

The chip mark 71 of “1”, which is put on an intersection of the grids of“5”, “6”, “8” and “9”, indicates that one chip is bet while covering thefour numbers of “5”, “6”, “8” and “9.” Like this, the bet type in whicha bet is made while covering the four numbers is referred to as a“Corner bet.”

As the other bet types, there is a bet type of “Split bet” in which abet is made while covering two numbers on a line between the twonumbers. In addition, there is a bet type of “Street bet” in which a betis made while covering three numbers (for example, “13, “14” and “15”)at ends of one row (one column in the vertical direction in FIG. 3). Inaddition, there is a bet type of “Five bet” in which a bet is made whilecovering five numbers of “0”, “00”, “1”, “2” and “3” on a line between“00” and “3”. Furthermore, there is a bet type of “Line bet” in which abet is made while covering six numbers (for example, “13”, “14”, “15”,“16”, “17” and “18”) between two rows (two columns in the verticaldirection in FIG. 3). In addition, there is a bet type of “Column bet”in which a bet is made while covering twelve numbers on the grid of “2to 1”. Additionally, there is a bet type of “Dozen bet” in which a betis made while covering twelve numbers on the grids of “1st 12”, “2nd 12”and “3rd 12”, respectively.

Furthermore, there are other bet types, using the six grids provided atthe lowest part of the table-type betting board 60, which are: “Red orBlack bet” in which a bet is made on the red or black numbers of thenumbered plates; “Odd or Even bet” in which a bet is made on the odd oreven numbers; and “Low or High bet” in which a bet is made on thenumbers of 18 or less or 19 or more.

In the mean time, the payout ratios (odds) set for respective bet typesare different, respectively. Here, the payout ratio (odds) is apayout-number of credits for a winning per one chip. The payout ratiowill be specifically described later.

When a bet is made on the BET screen 61 structured as described above, aplayer presses a bet area 72 on which a bet is made (on a grid of numberand mark or on a line forming a grid) with a finger etc. As a result,the pressed bet area 72 becomes an indicated bet area 72 and the cursor70 is moved to the indicated bet area 72.

Then, the respective unit buttons of the unit BET buttons 66 (1 BETbutton 66A, 5 BET button 66B, 10 BET button 66C, 100 BET button 66D) arepushed, and then the resulted unit numbers of chips are bet on theindicated bet area 72. For example, when the 10 BET button 66C is pushedfour times, the 5 BET button 66B is pushed once and the 1 BET button 66Ais pushed three times, 48 chips are bet in total.

In addition, when a “DOUBLE ODDS game” is executed, a notifying image 74notifying that this game is a “DOUBLE ODDS game” is displayed on thedisplay unit 102 (image display device 8) just before the credits arepaid out, as shown in FIG. 4.

(Mechanical Structure of the Roulette Gaming Machine 1)

Next, the mechanical structure of the roulette gaming machine 1 will bedescribed.

As shown in FIG. 5, the roulette gaming machine 1 is configured to havea cabinet 2 that is a main body, a roulette device 3 (roulette device101) provided at substantially center of an upper surface of the cabinet2, several stations 4 (twelve stations in this embodiment) mounted so asto surround the roulette device 3, and an electric light display unit 5provided above the cabinet 2.

Here, the station 4 is a bet unit in which a player's bet operation thatis performed while expecting a win number of the roulette device 3 isinputted. The station 4 includes, at least, a medal insertion slot 6into which a game medium such as money and a medal is inserted, acontroller 7 having control buttons and the like with which a playerinputs a predetermined instruction, and an image display device 8(display unit (display) 102) that displays an image relating to a game.The station 4 is a game area that receives a player's bet operation.

The image display device 8 is a liquid crystal display of a so-calledtouch panel type having the touch panel 50 attached to a front thereof,as an input unit (input device) 103. When an icon displayed on theliquid crystal screen is pressed with a finger etc. of a player, theicon is selected. A player who recognizes an image displayed on theimage display device 8 operates the touch panel 50 or controller 7,thereby proceeding with a game.

In addition, medal payout slots 9 are respectively provided to sides ofthe cabinet 2 having the stations 4 mounted thereto. Furthermore,speakers 10 that transmit music, effect sound and the like are providedon upper right sides of the image display devices 8 of the stations 4,respectively.

Furthermore, WIN lamps 11 are respectively provided above the imagedisplay devices 8 of the respective stations 4. When a winning is madefor the number (“00”, “0”, “1” to “36” in this embodiment) bet in thestations 4, the WIN lamp 11 of the station 4 in which the winning ismade is turned on. In the mean time, the WIN lamps 11 are disposed atpositions that can be seen from all the stations 4 (twelve stations inthis embodiment). In other words, another player who plays a game in thesame roulette gaming machine 1 can see a lighting state of the WIN lamps11.

In addition, a medal sensor (not shown) is provided in the medalinsertion slot 6. The medal sensor validates a medal inserted into themedal insertion slot 6 and counts the inserted medal. In addition, ahopper (not shown) is provided in the medal payout slot 9, and thehopper pays out the predetermined number of medals from the medal payoutslot 9.

In addition, a server 13 is disposed in a corner 12 that is located at acorner of the cabinet 2. The server 13 is connected to each of thestations 4 and transmits a command signal to each of the stations 4,thereby initiatively controlling each of the stations 4 and proceedingwith a game. Due to this, the server 13 is typically stored in thecorner 12 so that a player cannot operate the server 13. However, if acorner door 14 provided to the corner 12 is opened by means of a key,the server 13 can be operated.

The server 13 is connected to a liquid crystal display and a keyboard,which are not shown. The liquid crystal display displays a menu screenor maintenance screen. In addition, the keyboard is an operating unithaving several keys disposed thereon. In a state that a menu screen ormaintenance screen is displayed on the liquid crystal display, anoperator operates the keyboard, thereby performing a maintenanceoperation as well as various settings in the roulette gaming machine 1.

The electric light display unit 5 has a JP amount display unit 15 thatdisplays a credit-number of a JP manner. In the mean time, the JP amountdisplay unit 15 is mounted on a top of the electric light display unit5, so that all players who play a game in the respective stations 4 cansee the contents of display.

As shown in FIG. 6, the roulette device 3 is configured to include aframe 21 that is fixed to the cabinet 2 and a wheel 22 that is rotatablyreceived and supported in the frame 21. Many recessed numbered pockets23 (thirty-eight pockets in this embodiment) are formed on the uppersurface of the wheel 22. Further, on the upper surface of the wheel 22,numbered plates 25 are formed in outward directions of the respectivenumbered pockets 23, the numbered plates respectively having numbers of“00”, “0” and “1” to “36” (as figure letters) indicated as a mark, so asto correspond to the respective numbered pockets 23. In other words,thirty-eight numbered pockets 23, each of which is given with one numberout of “00”, “0” and “1” to “36” are formed on the wheel 22.

In addition, the frame 21 has a ball insertion slot 36 formed therein.The ball insertion slot 36 is coupled with a ball insertion device (notshown). As the ball insertion device is driven, a ball is inserted onthe wheel 22 from the ball insertion slot 36. In addition, an entireupper part of the roulette device 3 is covered with a hemisphere covermember 28 (refer to FIG. 5) made of transparent acryl.

In addition, a win determining device 86 (refer to FIG. 7) is providedbelow the wheel 22. The win determining device 86 is a device fordetermining the numbered pocket 23 into which the ball 27 is received.Further, a ball collection device that is not shown is provided belowthe wheel 22. The ball collection device is a device for collecting theball 27 on the wheel 22 after a game is over. In the mean time, sincethe ball insertion device, the win determining device and the ballcollection device have been already known, the detailed descriptionsthereof will be omitted.

Here, the frame 21 is gently inclined inward and a guide wall 29 isformed at a middle part thereof. The guide wall 29 guides an insertedball 27 against centrifugal force, thereby allowing the ball 28 to roll.When the centrifugal force is decreased as the rotation speed of theball 27 is lowered, the ball 27 is rolled down along the inclinedsurface of the frame 21, is moved inwardly and reaches the wheel 22being rotated. The ball 27, which is rolled onto the wheel 22, passesover the numbered plates 25 at the periphery of the wheel 22 beingrotated and then is received in any one of the numbered pockets 23. As aresult, the number indicated on the numbered plate 25 corresponding tothe numbered pocket 23 having the ball 27 received therein is determinedby the win determining device 86, so that a win number (specific mark)is determined.

As shown in FIG. 5, the controller 7 is disposed on a side of the imagedisplay device 8 and has buttons each of which is operated by a player.To be more specific, the controller 7 has a BET decision button 47, acashout button 48 and a help button 49 from left, seen from a positionopposite to the station 4.

The BET decision button 47 is a button that is pushed when deciding abet after a bet operation is carried out by means of the image displaydevice 8.

The cashout button 48 is a button that is pushed typically when a gameis over. When the cashout button 48 is pushed, the medals (typically,one medal for one credit), which correspond to the credits obtainedthrough a game and the like and currently possessed by a player, arecashed out from the medal payout slot 9.

The help button 49 is a button that is pushed when an operation methodof a game is unclear. Immediately after the help button 49 is pushed, ahelp screen showing a variety of operation information is displayed onthe image display device 8.

(Electrical Structure of the Roulette Gaming Machine 1)

Next, an electrical structure of the roulette gaming machine 1 will bedescribed.

(Electrical Structure of the Server 13)

As shown in FIG. 7, the roulette gaming machine 1 includes a server 13and several stations 4 (twelve stations in this embodiment) connected tothe server 13. The server 13 is connected to the roulette device 3 andthe electric light display unit 5. In the mean time, a control system ofthe station 4 will be specifically described later.

The server 13 is configured to include: a server control CPU 81 ROM 82,and a RAM 83 that serve as a calculation device and a control devicethat control the entire server 13; a timer 84 connected to the servercontrol CPU 81; a liquid crystal display 32 connected to the CPU througha liquid crystal driving circuit 85; and a keyboard 33.

The server control CPU 81 executes a variety of processes, based oninput signals supplied from each of the stations 4 and data or programstored in the ROM 82 and the RAM 83. Based on execution results of theprocesses, the server control CPU 81 transmits a command signal to thestations 4 thereby initiatively controlling each of the stations 4 andproceeding with a game. Further, the server control CPU 81 drives adrive motor provided to the roulette device 3, thereby shooting a ball27 or rotating the wheel 22. Furthermore, the server control CPU 81controls the win determining device 86 that specifies a drop position ofa ball, thereby determining a win number based on the drop position ofthe ball. Then, based on the one win number obtained in the roulettedevice 3 and the bet information transmitted from each of the stations4, a winning of the chips bet is determined and the credit-number to bepaid out in each of the stations 4 is calculated.

The ROM 82 is structured from a semiconductor memory, or the like. TheROM 82 stores a program for implementing basic functions of the roulettegaming machine 1, a lottery program for performing a “DOUBLE ODDSlottery” that determines an execution of a “DOUBLE ODDS game”, a programfor initiatively controlling each of the stations 4, and the like. Inaddition, the ROM 82 stores a payout ratio set for each bet type(so-called odds, payout-number of credits for a winning per one chip),in a form of an ODDS management table of FIG. 9.

On the other hand, the RAM 83 temporarily stores the bet information ofchips to be supplied from each of the stations 4, a win number of theroulette device 3 determined by a sensor, a credit-number of a JP manneraccumulated up to now, a DOUBLE ODDS incidence management table thatmanages a incidence of a “DOUBLE ODDS game”, data relating to a resultof a process that is executed by the server control CPU 81, and thelike.

Further, to the server control CPU 81 the timer 84 that measures time isconnected. The time information of the timer 84 is transmitted to theserver control CPU 81. The server control CPU 81 rotates the wheel 22 orinserts the ball 27, based on the time information of the timer 84.

In addition, the server control CPU 81 is connected to the electriclight display unit 5 (refer to FIG. 5). The server control CPU 81controls light emission of a light emitter such as LED to perform aneffect by an electric spectacular and to display predetermined letterson the electric light display unit 5. Furthermore, the server controlCPU 81 displays the credit-number of a JP amount, which is accumulatedup to now, on the JP amount display unit 15 of the electric lightdisplay unit 5.

(Electrical Structure of the Station 4)

Next, a structure of a control system of the stations 4 connected to theserver 13 according to this embodiment will be described with referenceto FIG. 8. FIG. 8 is a block diagram schematically showing a controlsystem of the station according to the embodiment. In the mean time, thetwelve stations 4 have a basically same structure, so that one of thestations 4 will be described as an example.

As shown in FIG. 8, the station 4 is structured from a station controlunit 90 and several peripheral devices. The station control unit 90includes a station control CPU 91, a ROM 92 and a RAM 93. The ROM 92 isstructured from a semiconductor memory, for example. The ROM 92 stores aprogram for implementing basic functions of the station 4, variousprograms necessary for controlling the station 4, a data table and thelike. In addition, the RAM 93 is a memory that temporarily storesvarious data calculated in the station control CPU 91, the number ofcredits that are currently possessed by a player (i.e., stored in thestation 4), a situation of chips bet by a player, and the like.

In addition, the station control CPU 91 is connected to a BET decisionbutton 47, a cashout button 48 and a help button 49, which are providedin the controller 7 (refer to FIG. 5). Based on operation signalsoutputted by pushing the respective buttons, the station control CPU 91performs a control so as to execute the corresponding operations. To bemore specific, based on an input signal that is supplied from thecontroller 7 in response to an operation by a player, as well as thedata or program stored in the ROM 92 and the RAM 93, the station controlCPU executes a variety of processes and transmits the results thereof tothe server control CPU 81.

On the other hand, the station control CPU 91 receives a command signalfrom the server control CPU 81, controls the peripheral devicesconstituting the station 4 based on the command signal, and proceedingwith a unit game in the station 4. In addition, the station control CPU91 executes a variety of processes, based on an input signal that isinputted from the controller 7 in response to an operation by a playerand the data or program stored in the ROM 92 and the RAM 93, dependingon contents of the process, controls the peripheral devices constitutingthe station 4 based on the process results, and proceeding with a unitgame in the station 4.

In addition, the station control CPU 91 is connected to a hopper 94. Thehopper 94 pays out a predetermined number of medals from the medalpayout slot 9 (refer to FIG. 5) in accordance with a command signal fromthe station control CPU 91.

Furthermore, the station control CPU 91 is connected to an image displaydevice 8 through a liquid crystal driving circuit 95. The liquid crystaldriving circuit 95 is structured from a program ROM, an image ROM, animage control CPU, a work RAM, a VDP (video display processor), a videoRAM and the like. The program ROM stores an image control program fordisplay on the image display device 8, a variety of selection tables andthe like. In addition, the image ROM stores dot data for forming animage to be displayed on the image display device 8, for example. Theimage control CPU determines an image to be displayed on the imagedisplay device 8 from the dot data previously stored in the image ROM,in accordance with an image control program previously stored in theprogram ROM, based on parameters set in the station control CPU 91. Inaddition, the work RAM is structured as a temporary memory to be usedwhen the image control program is executed in the image control CPU. Inaddition, the VDP forms an image relating to contents of displaydetermined in the image control CPU and outputs the image on the imagedisplay device 8. In the mean time, the video RAM is structured as atemporary memory to be used when an image is formed in the VDP.

In addition, a touch panel 50 is attached on a front of the imagedisplay device 8, as described above. Operation information of the touchpanel 50 is transmitted to the station control CPU 91. As a playeroperates the touch panel 50 by pressing, abet operation of chips isperformed in the BET screen 61. To be more specific, a selection of thebet area 72, an operation of a unit BET button 61, or the like, is made,and the operation information thereof is transmitted to the stationcontrol CPU 91. Based on the information, the current bet information ofa player (a bet area 72 indicated in the BET screen 61, the number ofchips bet and a bet type) is stored in the RAM 93 at all times.Furthermore, the bet information is transmitted to the server controlCPU 81 and is stored in the bet information memory area of the RAM 83.

Furthermore, the station control CPU 91 is connected to a speaker 10through a sound output circuit 96. The speaker 10 generates a variety ofeffect sounds when performing various effects, based on an output signalfrom the sound output circuit 96. In addition, a WIN lamp 11 isconnected to the station control CPU 91 through a lamp control circuit98. When a winning is made for the number bet is made, the WIN lamp 11is turned on by the lamp control circuit 98.

In addition, a medal sensor 97 is connected the station control CPU 91.The medal sensor 97 detects medals inserted from the medal insertionslot 6 (refer to FIG. 5), calculates the inserted medals and transmits aresult thereof to the station control CPU 91. The station control CPU 91increases the credit-number possessed by a player, which is stored inthe RAM 93, based on the transmitted signal.

(Odds Management Table)

Next, an ODDS management table that is referred to when calculating apayout at a time of winning will be described with reference to FIG. 9.The ODDS management table is stored in the ROM 82 of the server 13, anda base ODDS and a specific ODDS correspond to a bet type. In the meantime, a base ODDS is a base ratio that is referred to in a unit gameexcept a “DOUBLE ODDS game” and a specific ODDS is a specific ratio thatis referred to in a unit game that is a “DOUBLE ODDS game”.

For example, a base ODDS corresponding to the bet type of “Straight” is“35:1”. “35:1” means that when a credit (chip) of “1” is bet and awinning is made, the credits of “35” are paid out in addition to theoriginal credit of “1”. That is, when a winning is made in the odds of“35:1”, the credits thirty-six times as much as an amount bet are paidout. In addition, a base ODDS corresponding to the bet type of “Dozen”is “2:1”.

In addition, a specific ODDS corresponding to the bet type of “Straight”is “71:1”. In other words, when a “DOUBLE ODDS game” is executed, thecredits 72 times as much as an amount bet are paid out at a time ofwinning. That is, the specific ODDS is set to be twice as high as thebase ODDS.

(DOUBLE ODDS Incidence Management Table)

Next, a DOUBLE ODDS incidence management table that manages an incidenceof a “DOUBLE ODDS game” will be described with reference to FIG. 10. TheDOUBLE ODDS incidence management table is stored in the RAM 83 of theserver 13 and has a BASE ODDS column, a TARGET PAYOUT column, a DOUBLEODDS usage rate column and a DOUBLE ODDS incidence column. The BASE ODDScolumn stores the odds that are bases in a current unit game. The TARGETPAYOUT column changeably stores the payout ratios that are target valuesin the roulette gaming machine 1. The DOUBLE ODDS usage rate columnstores a difference between the BASE ODDS and the TARGET PAYOUT, as apercentage that is usable in a “DOUBLE ODDS game”. The DOUBLE ODDSincidence column stores incidences of a “DOUBLE ODDS game”, which arecalculated on the basis of the DOUBLE ODDS usage rates, in a percentageand a game-number.

For example, when the BASE ODDS is “94.70%” and the TARGET PAYOUT is“95.70%”, the DOUBLE ODDS usage rate is “1.00%” and the DOUBLE ODDSincidence is “1.06000%”. Converting the percentage into a game-number, a“DOUBLE ODDS game” is generated in a ratio of once per 94 times.Likewise, when the BASE ODDS is “94.70%” and the TARGET PAYOUT is“96.70%”, the DOUBLE ODDS usage rate is “2.00%” and the DOUBLE ODDSincidence is “2.11000%”. Converting the percentage into a game-number, a“DOUBLE ODDS game” is generated in a ratio of once per 47 times.

In the mean time, the incidence of a “DOUBLE ODDS game” can be changedwhen an operator who operates the server 13 changes the setting of theTARGET PAYOUT of the DOUBLE ODDS incidence management table.

(Processing Operations of the Roulette Gaming Machine 1)

Next, the process operations carried out in the roulette gaming machine1 will be described. The station control CPU 91 of each station 4 andthe server control CPU 81 of the server 13 cooperate with each other toexecute a game process, thereby proceeding with a unit game.

(Game Process at the Station)

The station control CPU 91 of each station 4 executes a game processroutine for the station, which is shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. First, asshown in FIG. 11, the station control CPU 91 determines whether a medalor money is inserted by a player, based on a detection signal of themedal sensor 97 (S1). When a medal or money is not inserted (S1: NO),the step of S1 is repeated and the wait state is sustained until a medalor money is inserted. On the other hand, when a medal or money isinserted (S1: YES), the credit data of an amount corresponding to thenumber of pieces inserted is recorded in the RAM 93 (S2). Then, a medalinsertion signal notifying the detection of a medal or money inserted istransmitted to the server 13 (S3).

Then, in the image display device 8 of the station 4, the BET screen 61of FIG. 3 is displayed (S4) and a reception of a player's bet operationis started (S5). A player who participates in a game operates the touchpanel 50 to make a bet on a BET area 72 relating to a number that theplayer expects, during the bet period for which a bet operation isallowed (refer to FIG. 3). In the mean time, the player can participatein a game in the course of the game after the bet period is started. Inthe roulette gaming machine 1 according to this embodiment, maximumtwelve players can play a game.

When a bet period end signal notifying that the bet period is over isreceived from the server 13 (S6), the reception of a bet operation onthe touch panel 50 is ended (S7). Then, bet information (the indicatedbet area 72, the number of chips (bet-number) bet on the indicated betarea 72 and a bet type) about the bet that is performed by the player inthe station 4 is transmitted to the server 13 (S8).

Then, as shown in FIG. 12, the station control CPU 91 receives a resultof a DOUBLE ODDS lottery from the server 13 (S9). Here, the result of aDOUBLE ODDS lottery is a win or a loss in a “DOUBLE ODDS game”. Then, itis determined whether a win is made in a “DOUBLE ODDS game”, based onthe result of a DOUBLE ODDS lottery (S10). When it is determined that awin is made in a “DOUBLE ODDS game” (S10: YES), a notifying image 74 isdisplayed on the image display device 8 (S11), as shown in FIG. 4.

After that, or when it is determined a loss is made in a “DOUBLE ODDSgame” (S10: NO), a payout result of credits, which is transmitted fromthe server 13, is received (S12). Then, based on the payout result, thecredits are paid out (S13). To be more specific, the credit data isrecorded in the RAM 93, and when the cashout button 48 is pushed, themedals according to the credit-number that is currently stored in theRAM 93 (typically, one medal per one credit) are paid out from the medalpayout slot 9. Then, a process of turning on the WIN lamp is performed(S14) and the WIN lamp 11 is turned on at a time of winning. After that,when a game is played continuously in any one of stations 4, the processreturns to the step of S4, so that a bet period is again started totransit to a next game. On the other hand, when a game is ended in allthe stations 4, the game process routine for the station is ended.

(Game Process in the Server)

The server control CPU 81 of the server 13 executes a game processroutine for the server, which is shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. First, asshown in FIG. 11, a medal detection signal transmitted from any of thestations 4 is received (S101) and a bet period for which a bet operationof a player is received is started (S102). Then, it is determinedwhether the remaining bet period becomes 5 seconds (S103). Meantime, theremaining bet period is displayed in the BET time display section 69, onthe image display device 8 (refer to FIG. 3). When it is determined thatthe remaining bet period does not become 5 seconds (S103: NO), the stepof S103 is repeated and a wait state is sustained until the remainingbet period becomes 5 seconds. On the other hand, when it is determinedthat the remaining bet period becomes 5 seconds (S103: YES), the ballinsertion device is driven to insert a ball 27 into the wheel 22 (S104).Furthermore, the drive motor is driven to rotate the wheel 22 at apredetermined rotating speed in a direction opposite to the ballinserting direction. The inserted ball 27 rolls on the wheel 22 alongthe guide wall 29. Then, when the centrifugal force is decreased as therotation speed of the ball 27 is lowered, the ball 27 is rolled downalong the inclined surface of the frame 21, is moved inwardly andreaches the center part of the wheel 22 being rotated (refer to FIG. 6).

Then, it is determined whether the bet period is over or not (S105).When it is determined that the bet period is not over (S105: NO), thestep of S105 is repeated and a wait state is sustained until the betperiod is over. On the other hand, when it is determined that the betperiod is over (S105: YES), a bet period end signal notifying that thebet period is over is transmitted to each of the stations 4 (S106).Then, the bet information (the indicated bet area 72, the number ofchips (bet-number) bet on the indicated bet area 72 and a bet type)about the bet that is performed by the player in each of the stations 4is received and stored in the RAM 83 (S107.

After that, the credits corresponding to 0.5% of a sum of the creditsbet in the respective stations 4 are accumulatively added to thecredit-number of a JP manner, which is recorded in the RAM 83 (S108).Correspondingly, the display of the JP amount display unit 15 or JPdisplay section 73 is updated.

Here, the ball 27, which is rolled onto the wheel 22, passes over thenumbered plates 25 at the periphery of the wheel 22 being rotated andthen is received in any one of the numbered pockets 23. As a result, thenumber (any one of “00”, “0” and “1” to “36” in FIG. 6) indicated on thenumbered plate 25 corresponding to the numbered pocket 23 having theball 27 received therein becomes a win number. After the ball 27 isreceived in the numbered pocket 23 the server control CPU 81 drives thewin determining device 86 to determine the numbered pocket 23 into whichthe ball 27 is received (S109). Thereby, a win number is determined.

Then, as shown in FIG. 12, the sever control CPU 81 performs a DOUBLEODDS lottery (S10). A result of the DOUBLE ODDS lottery is transmittedto each station 4 (S111). Then, it is determined whether a winning ismade for the chips bet in each station 4, based on the bet informationreceived from each station 4 and the win number (S112).

Then, a payout calculating process is executed (S113). In the payoutcalculating process, a win chip that is bet on the win number isrecognized for each station 4. When a winning is made, the ODDSmanagement table (refer to FIG. 9) stored in the ROM 82 is referred to.Herein, for a game other than a “DOUBLE ODDS game”, the base ODDS isused and for a “DOUBLE ODDS game”, the specific ODDS is used, so that asum of the payouts of credits to be paid out to each station 4 iscalculated.

After that, the payout result of credits based on the payout calculatingprocess is transmitted to each station 4 (S114). Then, the credit-numberof a JP manner is subtracted, as required (S115). In other words, when awinning is made in a “DOUBLE ODDS game”, a half of the payout to be paidout to a player is paid out from the credit-number of a JP manner.Correspondingly, the display of the JP amount display unit 15 or JPdisplay section 73 is updated. Then, the ball collection device providedbelow the wheel 22 is driven to collect the ball 27 on the wheel 22(S116). After that, when a game is continuously played in any one of thestations 4, the process returns to the step of S102, so that abet periodis again started. On the other hand, when the game is ended in all thestations 4, the game process for the server is ended.

As described above, in a unit game that is executed in a ratio of onceper several times, the payout ratio set for each bet type is switchedfrom the base ratio to the specific ratio that is twice as high as thebase ratio. Thereby, when the payout ratio is switched into the specificratio, a payout that is awarded when a winning is made is doubled, ascompared to a base. Therefore, a player's expectation can be increasedwithout deteriorating a game characteristic of the conventional roulettegaming machine.

In the above embodiment, all players who participate in a unit game canenjoy a benefit that a payout to be awarded at a time of winning islarger than a base, through the “DOUBLE ODDS game.” However, it may bepossible that only a player who pays an entry fee separately from thechip can enjoy a benefit that a payout to be awarded at a time ofwinning is higher than a base. In other words, it may be possible: whena winning is made in a “DOUBLE ODDS game,” if a player having thewinning has not paid an entry fee in advance, a payout for the player iscalculated using the base ODDS. On the other hand, if a player havingthe winning has paid an entry fee in advance, a payout for the player iscalculated using the specific ODDS.

In addition, in the above embodiment, when a winning is made in a“DOUBLE ODDS game,” a half of the payout is paid out from thecredit-number of a JP manner. However, the invention is not limitedthereto. For example, as described above, for a case where only a playerwho have paid an entry fee separately from the chip can enjoy a benefitthat a payout to be awarded at a time of winning is larger than a base,the entry fee paid by the player may be accumulated and a part or all ofthe payout may be paid out from the total sum of the accumulated entryfees.

Although the above descriptions have been provided with regard to thecharacteristic parts so as to understand the invention more easily, theinvention is not limited to the embodiment as described above and can beapplied to the other embodiments and the applicable scope should beconstrued as broadly as possible. Furthermore, the terms and phraseologyused in the specification have been used to correctly illustrate theinvention, not to limit it. In addition, it will be understood by thoseskilled in the art that the other structures, systems, methods and thelike included in the spirit of the invention can be easily derived fromthe spirit of the invention described in the specification. Accordingly,it should be considered that the invention covers equivalent structuresthereof without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention asdefined in the following claims. Further, the abstract is provided sothat an intellectual property office and a general public institution orone skilled in the art who is not familiar with patent and legal orprofessional terminology can quickly analyze the technical features andessences of the invention through a simple investigation. Accordingly,the abstract is not intended to limit the scope of the invention thatshould be evaluated by the claims. In addition, it is required tosufficiently refer to the documents that have been already disclosed, soas to fully understand the objects and effects of the invention.

The above descriptions include a process that is executed on a computeror computer network. The above descriptions and expressions have beenprovided so that the one skilled in the art can understand the inventionmost effectively. In the specification, the respective steps used toinduce one result or blocks having a predetermined processing functionshould be understood as a process having no self-contradiction. Inaddition, the electrical or magnetic signal is transmitted/received andwritten in the respective steps or blocks. Although the processes in therespective steps or blocks embody the signal as a bit, value, symbolcharacter, term, number and the like, it should be noted that these havebeen used for the convenience of descriptions. Further, although theprocesses in the respective steps or blocks have been often described asan expression common to a human action, the process described in thespecification is executed by a variety of devices in principle. Inaddition, the other structures necessary for the respective steps orblocks are apparent from the above descriptions.

While this invention has been described in conjunction with the specificembodiments outlined above, it is evident that many alternatives,modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in theart. Accordingly, the preferred embodiments of the invention as setforth above are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Variouschanges may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention as defined in the following claims.

1. A roulette gaming machine comprising: a roulette device in which aball rolls on a wheel having a plurality of marks disposed thereon; adisplay that displays a plurality of bet areas each of whichcorresponding to at least one mark and one bet type and on each of whicha game value is bet; an input device that receives an operation from anoutside; and a controller programmed to perform operations of: (a)betting a game value on a bet area associated with the operationreceived by the input device from the outside, in a bet typecorresponding to the bet area; (b) rolling the ball, thereby setting, asa specific mark, a mark corresponding to a stop position of the ball;(c) when the specific mark and the bet area on which the game value isbet have a corresponding relation, awarding a payout on the basis of thegame value bet on the bet area and a payout ratio set for the bet typecorresponding to the bet area; and (d) randomly switching the payoutratio set for each bet type between a base ratio and a specific ratiohigher than the base ratio.
 2. A roulette gaming machine comprising: aroulette device in which a ball rolls on a wheel having a plurality ofmarks disposed thereon; a display that displays a plurality of bet areaseach of which corresponding to at least one mark and one bet type and oneach of which a game value is bet; an input device that receives anoperation from an outside; and a controller programmed to performoperations of: (a) betting a game value on a bet area associated withthe operation received by the input device from the outside, in a bettype corresponding to the bet area; (b) rolling the ball, therebysetting, as a specific mark, a mark corresponding to a stop position ofthe ball; (c) when the specific mark and the bet area on which the gamevalue is bet have a corresponding relation, awarding a payout on thebasis of the game value bet on the bet area and a payout ratio set forthe bet type corresponding to the bet area; and (d) randomly switchingthe payout ratio set for each bet type between a base ratio and aspecific ratio that is twice as high as the base ratio.
 3. A roulettegaming machine comprising: a roulette device in which a ball rolls on awheel having a plurality of marks disposed thereon; a display thatdisplays a plurality of bet areas each of which corresponding to atleast one mark and one bet type and on each of which a game value isbet; an input device that receives an operation from an outside; and acontroller programmed to perform operations of: (a) betting a game valueon a bet area associated with the operation received by the input devicefrom the outside, in a bet type corresponding to the bet area; (b)rolling the ball, thereby setting, as a specific mark, a markcorresponding to a stop position of the ball; (c) when the specific markand the bet area on which the game value is bet have a correspondingrelation, awarding a payout on the basis of the game value bet on thebet area and a payout ratio set for the bet type corresponding to thebet area; and (d) switching the payout ratio set for each bet type froma base ratio to a specific ratio higher than the base ratio, in a unitgame that is executed in a ratio of once per a plurality of times.
 4. Aroulette gaming machine comprising: a roulette device in which a ballrolls on a wheel having a plurality of marks disposed thereon; a displaythat displays a plurality of bet areas each of which corresponding to atleast one mark and one bet type and on each of which a game value isbet; an input device that receives an operation from an outside; and acontroller programmed to perform operations of: (a) betting a game valueon a bet area associated with the operation received by the input devicefrom the outside, in a bet type corresponding to the bet area; (b)rolling the ball, thereby setting, as a specific mark, a markcorresponding to a stop position of the ball; (c) when the specific markand the bet area on which the game value is bet have a correspondingrelation, awarding a payout on the basis of the game value bet on thebet area and a payout ratio set for the bet type corresponding to thebet area; and (d) switching the payout ratio set for each bet type froma base ratio to a specific ratio that is twice as high as the baseratio, in a unit game that is executed in a ratio of once per aplurality of times.
 5. A playing method of a roulette game thatrepeatedly executes a unit game in which a ball rolls on a wheel havinga plurality of marks disposed thereon, the method comprising the stepsof: (a) betting a game value on a bet area, among a plurality of betareas displayed on a display, associated with an operation received byan input device from an outside, in a bet type corresponding to the betarea; (b) rolling the ball, thereby setting, as a specific mark, a markcorresponding to a stop position of the ball; (c) when the specific markand the bet area on which the game value is bet have a correspondingrelation, awarding a payout based on the game value bet on the bet areaand a payout ratio set for the bet type corresponding to the bet area;and (d) randomly switching the payout ratio set for each bet typebetween a base ratio and a specific ratio higher than the base ratio. 6.A playing method of a roulette game that repeatedly executes a unit gamein which a ball rolls on a wheel having a plurality of marks disposedthereon, the method comprising the steps of: (a) betting a game value ona bet area, among a plurality of bet areas displayed on a display,associated with an operation received by an input device from anoutside, in a bet type corresponding to the bet area; (b) rolling theball, thereby setting, as a specific mark, a mark corresponding to astop position of the ball; (c) when the specific mark and the bet areaon which the game value is bet have a corresponding relation, awarding apayout based on the game value bet on the bet area and a payout ratioset for the bet type corresponding to the bet area; and (d) randomlyswitching the payout ratio set for each bet type between a base ratioand a specific ratio that is twice as high as the base ratio.
 7. Aplaying method of a roulette game that repeatedly executes a unit gamein which a ball rolls on a wheel having a plurality of marks disposedthereon, the method comprising the steps of: (a) betting a game value ona bet area, among a plurality of bet areas displayed on a display,associated with an operation received by an input device from anoutside, in a bet type corresponding to the bet area; (b) rolling theball, thereby setting, as a specific mark, a mark corresponding to astop position of the ball; (c) when the specific mark and the bet areaon which the game value is bet have a corresponding relation, awarding apayout based on the game value bet on the bet area and a payout ratioset for the bet type corresponding to the bet area; and (d) switchingthe payout ratio set for each bet type from a base ratio to a specificratio higher than the base ratio, in a unit game that is executed in aratio of once per a plurality of times.
 8. A playing method of aroulette game that repeatedly executes a unit game in which a ball rollson a wheel having a plurality of marks disposed thereon, the methodcomprising the steps of: (a) betting a game value on a bet area, among aplurality of bet areas displayed on a display, associated with anoperation received by an input device from an outside, in a bet typecorresponding to the bet area; (b) rolling the ball, thereby setting, asa specific mark, a mark corresponding to a stop position of the ball;(c) when the specific mark and the bet area on which the game value isbet have a corresponding relation, awarding a payout based on the gamevalue bet on the bet area and a payout ratio set for the bet typecorresponding to the bet area; and (d) switching the payout ratio setfor each bet type from a base ratio to a specific ratio that is twice ashigh as the base ratio, in a unit game that is executed in a ratio ofonce per a plurality of times.